Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has spoken out against some churches and religious leaders for refusing donations from President William Ruto.
Addressing the congregation at AIC Pioneer Church in Eldoret on Sunday, December 8, Sudi criticized the stance of certain bishops and churches, stating that their refusal contradicts the principle of supporting God’s work.
Sudi Defends Political Donations
Sudi, a long-time ally of President Ruto, defended the practice of politicians contributing to churches.
He emphasized that he has been a consistent donor to churches for more than half his life, and he does not intend to stop.
Highlighting the financial needs of churches, Sudi questioned the sincerity of those rejecting the president’s donations.
“They are just pretending. The church has no chairs, no CDF, and no government resources, yet you find some saying they don’t want donations. Having been raised in a Christian family and attending Sunday school, I strongly believe in the biblical principle of giving and contributing to the work of God. This is why I will continue giving to the church and supporting God’s work,” Sudi stated.
Criticism of Rejection Reasons
The MP expressed dismay at what he described as “strange reasons” cited by some churches for rejecting Ruto’s contributions.
He argued that President Ruto has been donating to churches since his youth, and there were no complaints about the sources of his funds then.
“This is all about God’s work, and no one has the right to threaten us or say they will not receive money from Ruto because of some strange reasons. The same God blessed Ruto to become president. It’s all God’s work,” Sudi said.
The Biblical Principle of Giving
Sudi reiterated his belief in the importance of giving as a Christian duty, framing donations as an integral part of religious practice.
He dismissed threats or criticisms regarding the sources of funds, calling on religious leaders to focus on the impact of contributions rather than questioning their origins.
By defending political donations to churches, Sudi underscored the long-standing relationship between religion and politics in Kenya.
His remarks highlight an ongoing debate about the ethical considerations of accepting donations from politicians, a discussion that continues to divide public opinion.
